Lounge chair and construction thereof



Oct. 39, 1962 c. F. SARCHIA LOUNGE CHAIR AND CONSTRUCTION THEREOF 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 14, 1961 INVENTOR. CHESTER F SARCHIA BYATTYS.

Oct. 30, 1962 c. F. SARCHIA LQUQIGE CHAIR AND CONSTRUCTION THEREOF 2Shouts-Shut. 2

Filed April 14, 1961 FIG.6

' INVENTORQ CHESTER F. SARCHIA AT T Y5.-

United States Patent 3,061,373 LOUNGE CHAIR AND CONSTRUCTHON THEREUFChester F. Sarchia, Akron, Ohio, assignor to Furniture ManufacturingCompany, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed Apr. 14, 1961, Ser.No. 103,038 4 Ciaims. (Ci. 297-418) The present invention relates tolounge chairs, and in general to chairs and the construction or framemeans therefor.

Heretofore there have been various types of chairs produced of manydifferent frame constructions and shapes. When upholstering thesechairs, and when assembling components of an upholstered chair, it isdifficult and costly to secure the components of the chair together andhave the upholstery extend smoothly and tightly over the chaircomponents. Most of such work is done by hand, and upholstering a chairis a costly operation, as skilled workmen are required and it usually isa rela tivelv slow operation.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved lounge chair and chair frame characterized by the rapid andconvenient assembly of different components of the chair frame includingattachment of the seat frame means to the chair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair which is made upfrom two primary units, one comprising the chair frame and the othercomprising a chair seat or cushion and with the chair being producedwith the chair frame having all upholstery means thereon and secured inposition thereto before the chair seat is fixedly secured in place andwith the upholstery means on the chair seat being secured thereto andhaving only the front end of the upholstery not being secured tightly inposition before the chair seat is affixed to the remainder of the chair.

Another object of the invention is to build a chair wherein the primarychair frame component can be a section or portion of a wooden barrel andwhere the chair frame is of sturdy construction and with the componentsthereof being adapted for preassembly insofar as the chair frame and thechair seat frame are concerned.

Another object of the invention is to secure a seat frame fixedly in achair frame after the chair frame has been upholstered.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemade more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lounge chair embodying the principlesof the invention and illustrating the currently preferred constructionthereof;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chair frame and the seat frame withthe upholstery means thereon being removed and prior to assembly of thechair seat frame to the chair frame;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken through the chair frame and chairseat of FIG. 2 when operatively associated with each other and with theupholstery means generally being removed for clarity;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are vertical sections taken on lines 44 and 5-5,respectively, of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chair seat and chair in explodedrelation and ready for attachment together.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

The present invention, generally speaking, relates to a novel type of achair and chair frame where the chair frame has back, seat and armportions, a pair of cross members are secured to the seat portion of thechair frame and extends transversely thereof in spaced rela tion, one ofthe cross members being positioned adjacent the back of the frame andhaving a recess extending thereinto from the front surface thereof, thesecond of the cross members being at the front of the seat portion, anda seat frame engaging the cross members and extending therebetween to bepositioned thereby, which seat frame includes a rearwardly extendingcentering member engaging the said recess, and with the seat frameincluding cross bars engaging a part of the chair frame seat to bepositioned thereby.

The chair of the invention is shown in detail in the accompanyingdrawings, and the chair as a whole is indicated by the numeral 1. Thisnew chair 1, as one feature of the invention, can be made with a chairframe 2 in the form or shape of an end 3 and a longitudinally extendingsection 4 made from a barrel. FIG. 1 of the drawings indicates how aplurality of metal straps 5 may be provided on this barrel member usedin forming the chair frame 2. Naturally the barrel would be suitablycleaned, waxed, varnished, or otherwise finished, so as to provide anattractive surface on the chair.

Suitable support legs are provided for the chair 1 and they are shown ascomprising generally U-shaped bars or members 6 that extend transverselyof the chair frame 2 at spaced portions thereof and are secured thereto.Suitable legs 7 can be secured to the bars 6 adjacent the ends thereofand diverge outwardly to provide a sturdy support for the chair 1 of theinvention.

The longitudinal section 4 of the chair frame 2 is of arcuate shape insection and the upper parts of this section 4 form arm portions 8 in thechair frame, while the base part of this section of the chair framewould form the seat portion for the chair frame. Any suitable members,such as bars or boards 9 are secured to the upper ends of thelongitudinal section 4 of the chair frame and they may protrudetransversely and axially therefrom to provide arm rests on the finishedchair.

Various figures of the drawings, such as FIG. 2, bringout the fact thata pair of cross members 10 and 11 are secured to the longitudinallyextending sections 4 of the chair frame with one cross member 10 beingpositioned adjacent the back or end 3 of the chair frame and with theother cross member 11 normally being positioned flush with the front endof the chair'frame 2. Suitable spring members 12 are shown positioned onand secured between the upper portion of the cross member 10 andextending therefrom to the upper portion of the chair back or end 3 ofthe chair frame. Any suitable padding and/or upholstery means 13 can besecured over these springs 12 and be suitably attached to the properportions of the chair frame 2 to provide a smooth finished upholsteryassembly.

It is a feature of the invention that the bars or arm rests 9 and anydesired upholstery means 14 covering the arm portions 8 of the chairframe will be secured thereto, and that the back or end portions 3 ofthe chair frame will be completely finished prior to positioning thechair seat or any components thereof in the chair 1.

FIG. 2 of the drawings best brings out the fact that a recess, or a bore15 is provided in the cross member 10 and extends therethrough parallelto the axis of the chair 1, and preferably the front cross member 11 hasa recess 16 provided at this upper surface. These means formed on thecross members 10 and 11 facilitate the engagement of a frame 17 with theremainder of the chair frame 2. The seat frame 17 is shown as made froma pair of cross bars 18 and 19 shaped to bridge across the longitudinalsection 4 of the chair frame and engage therewith at the ends of thecross bars for support action, whereas the seat frame 17 is alsopositioned in the chair frame by means such as a longitudinallyextending pin or dowel 20 that is secured to the cross bar 18 andextends rearwardly therefrom for engaging the bore 15 when the seatframe 17 is in its final assembly position on the chair frame 2.Likewise, the seat frame 17 includes a longitudinally extending memberor brace 21, which brace 21 is contoured to be seated in the recess 16in the center or front cross member 11 to aid in affixing the seat frame17 securely to the remainder of the chair frame. Any desired type ofsprings 22 are secured to the seat frame 17 and suitable upholsterymeans 23 can be affixed over these springs 22 and be attached to theseat frame 17 in the rear or back and side portions thereof prior topositioning the seat frame onto the remainder of the chair frame 2, asindicated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 also best shows that the chair upholstery 23 may have a frontflap 2 extending downwardly therefrom when the seat frame 17 isassembled to the chair frame 2. Hence, the only operation required incompleting the chair 1 after positioning the seat frame 17 therein, isto suitably secure this front flap 24 to the chair frame 2, such as tothe front cross member 11 therein.

It should be realized that the cross members it} and 11 can be securedto the chair frame 2 in any desired manner, as by the use of littlebrackets 25, and/ or by screws 26 extending through the cross membersand engaging the longitudinal section 4 of the chair frame.

It should further be realized that the chair frame 2 may be made ofother shapes than that shown herein, but the use of a section of abarrel is particularly suitable as it provides a sturdy frame to whichthe components of the chair can be readily assembled or secured.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a novel and improved chairand method or type of chair assembly has been provided by the invention.The various types of cross members used on the chair frame and in theseat frame for the chair can be varied in accordance with the style,size and type of a chair frame provided. The seat frame 17 naturally canbe secured as by cap screws, or other means, to the cross member 11 inthe seat frame, or it can be positioned solely by the upholstery means,dowel 20 and member 21, as desired. Hence it is believed that theobjects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a chair, a chair frame arm portions,

a pair of cross members secured to said seat and extending transverselythereof in spaced relation,

one of said cross members being positioned adjacent said back of saidframe and having a hole extending therethrough from front to rear of thechair,

the second of said cross members being at the front of said seat portionand having a recess in its upper edge, and a unitary seat frame engagingsaid cross members and extending therebetween to be positioned thereby,said seat frame including a rearwardly extending centering pin engagingsaid hole, and a downwardly projecting frame member seating in saidrecess to aid in centering and positioning said seat frame on said chairframe,

said seat frame also comprising cross bars having end portions thatengage said chair frame seat to be psitioned thereby.

2. In a chair,

having seat, back and a chair frame in the shape of an end and alongitudinal section of a barrel and having seat, back and arm portions,

the barrel having a transversely arcuate shape in section in the seatportion of said chair frame,

a pair of cross members secured to said seat portion and extendingtransversely thereof in spaced relation on the inner surface of saidbarrel,

one of said cross members being positioned adjacent but spaced from saidback of said frame and having a hole extending therethrough parallel tothe center axis of the chair,

spring means extending between said one cross member and the upper endof said chair frame back,

the second of said cross members being at the front of said seat portionand being within and flush with the end of said chair seat portion, and

a unitary seat frame engaging said cross members and extendingtherebetween to be centered thereon,

said seat frame including a rearwardly extending centering pin engagingsaid hole,

spring means secured to the seat frame and extending upwardly therefrom,and

cross bars contoured complementary to and each engaging arcuate surfacesof said chair frame seaf'to position said seat frame thereby.

3. In a chair,

a chair frame in the shape of an end and a longitudinal section of abarrel and having seat, back and arm portions,

a pair of vertically extending cross members secured to said seatportion and extending transversely there of in spaced relation on theinner surface of said barrel,

one of said cross members being positioned adjacent said back of saidframe and having an aperture extending thereto from front to rear of thechair in its front face,

spring means extending between said one cross member and the upper endof said chair frame back to receive upholstery means thereon, and

a seat frame engaging said cross members and extending therebetween tobe positioned thereby,

said aperture being vertically lower than any portion of said springmeans,

said seat frame including a rearwardly extending centering memberengaging said aperture to aid in securing said seat frame in position.

4. In a chair,

a chair frame in the shape of an end and a longitudinal section of abarrel and having arcuate seat, a flat back and arcuate in verticalsection arm portions,

a pair of cross members secured to said seat portion and extendingtransversely thereof in spaced relation on the inner surface of saidbarrel,

one of said cross members being positioned adjacent said back of saidframe and having a recess extend ing thereinto from the front thereof,

the second of said cross members being at the front of said seat portionand being within and substantially flush with the end of said chair seatportion, and

a unitary seat frame engaging said cross members and extendingtherebetween to be positioned thereby,

said seat frame including a rearwardly extending centering meansengaging said recess, and

cross bars having portions thereof arcuately contoured for engaging saidchair frame seat to be positioned thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,705,995 McMurty Apr. 12, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENT oEmc-E CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION atent N00 3,061,373 October 30 1962 Chester F. Sarchia ovenumbered patpears in the ab 1d read as rtified that error ap d LettersPatent shou It is hereby ce d that the sai ent requiring correction ancorrected below.

and in the heading to the lines 2 and 12 name of assignee for In thegrant printed specification lines 3 and 4,,

ufacturing Company'fl, each occurrence read column 4 factoring Company dthe following:

Deco 5 1944 "Furniture Man San Hygene list of references 2 364 452Kramer). D.=l6l 762 Kaufman OTHER REFERENCES r" (Article) v Popular 1938Pages 180 and 181.

Furniture Manu cited ad "Building a Barrel Chai I Science Magazine OctaSigned and sealed this llth day of June 1963a (SEAL) Attest:

DAVID L. LADD ERNEST W. SWIDER Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

